Pride month has officially begun… and so have the lawsuits.
An employment court in the UK has dismissed a discrimination lawsuit brought by a Christian man who argued that Pride symbols and LGBTQ+ visibility in the workplace violated his religious beliefs and harmed his mental health.
The case centered around a man named Mark Jennings, who professes to be both an evangelical Christian and a practicing Roman Catholic. Jennings had accepted a position with the UK’s Department for Work and Pensions in 2024. Before beginning the job, however, Jennings reportedly demanded that Pride imagery, LGBTQ+ symbols, and even the use of pronouns by coworkers be prohibited in his future workplace.
In court, Jennings argued that “He also sees the use of the rainbow by the LGBTQ+ community as co-opting a symbol of God and Christianity.”
He claimed that his religious aversion to Pride symbols, like rainbows, is so severe that exposure to these could trigger “autistic shutdowns.” He claimed to the court that he’d had these traumatic “shutdown” reactions in response to seeing a Pride flag at a bus stop near his home, and another from seeing rainbow laces on an athlete’s shoes during a soccer match.
When the Department stated that it could not enforce the removal of these symbols, Jennings suggested that the office be divided into “zones” to keep him safe from seeing the iconography, or that perhaps he could work remotely.
Ultimately, the Department indicated that it found his requests unreasonable and that they could not accommodate them, and Jennings responded by rejecting the job offer and suing for religious discrimination.
According to court’s findings, Jennings argued that “gender ideology” was “the work of the devil,” and claimed that exposure to Pride iconography caused him severe anxiety.
The court ultimately agreed that Jenning’s demands were unreasonable and did not find that he had been unlawfully discriminated against.
Judge Daniel Wright ruled that requiring employees to remove Pride symbols or restrict expressions of LGBTQ+ support could itself expose the employer to discrimination and harassment claims. The court also found that Jennings’ request to work remotely was incompatible with the face-to-face responsibilities of the role.
The ruling touches on an increasingly common legal and cultural tension: where does religious liberty end when it begins infringing on the dignity, visibility, or equal treatment of others?
For many religious Americans — including countless ministers ordained through the Universal Life Church — the answer is not especially complicated. Religious freedom protects the right to hold and practice personal beliefs. It does not necessarily grant the right to erase others from public life or demand that workplaces conform entirely to one person’s theology.
That distinction matters.
Modern workplaces are often made up of people from dramatically different backgrounds, faiths, identities, and worldviews. Some employees wear crosses. Others wear hijabs, yarmulkes, or Pride lanyards. In pluralistic societies, coexistence usually depends less on universal agreement than on mutual tolerance.
The court appeared to recognize that balancing act in this case.
Importantly, the ruling did not punish Jennings (who had allegedly sued two other organizations on similar grounds in the past) for being Christian or for holding conservative theological beliefs about sexuality and gender. Rather, the court found that his proposed accommodations would have restricted the rights and expression of others in the workplace.
That distinction may become increasingly important as courts continue grappling with disputes involving religion, LGBTQ+ inclusion, disability claims, and workplace culture.
The case also arrives during a broader period of political and cultural conflict surrounding Pride visibility. Across both the United States and Europe, debates over rainbow displays, LGBTQ+ education, and corporate Pride campaigns have intensified in recent years. Supporters often frame Pride symbolism as an affirmation of inclusion and equal dignity, while critics sometimes view it as ideological messaging they do not wish to endorse.
But in this case, the court drew a fairly clear line: seeing symbols associated with people you disagree with is not, by itself, unlawful discrimination.
What do you think?
105 comments
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Bridget Kielas-Fecyk
I'm pretty sure he'll lose entirely on this one. If he doesn't like being around / seeing LGBTQ+ things at work or in public, then he should work for a Religious company that follows HIS personal religion. I, myself, am Pagan - to be candid Shamanic Tradition, and I'm Bi-sexual. Yes I like both men and women equally. Yes I AM married to my husband, but I had more than a few girlfriends over the years, too.
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Alexander Clarke
Bible thumpers are the problem.
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Rev. RRW
Maybe we should be careful about letting partisan media narratives — from any side — shape how we see each other. As human beings, we all have biases, and it is easy to gravitate toward the side that confirms what we already believe without doing deeper research.
Whether someone is Christian, non-Christian, LGBTQ+, conservative, liberal, or somewhere in between, I think it is healthier to approach the conversation with an open heart and an open mind. We should try to understand more than one side of the story before reaching conclusions that simply reinforce our group identity or personal assumptions.
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Jerry Dean Silverwood
My God....a box of crayons must render him catatonic!
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
lol...good one humor can disarm all!
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Lady Mutt Cat
Excellent decision by the court. It’s absurd to think that you have the right to dictate how N entire workplace runs because you are a bigot.
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Rev. Miche'al Yosef Dixon
Yeshua Ha'Messiah is Hebrew from the Tribe of Judah (a Jew) and taught us obey the Hebrew Law of what you call "Old Testament" which is still active because "a testament is of no effect until the death of the testor." YHWH our Father is the Testor and not dead. "an heir can not inherit his father's legacy until the Father dies." "we are heir's with Christ". If you don't believe or follow the Hebrew God YHWH (or His Son Yeshua you call Jesus) then look at the other deities throughout history. Zeus replace Kronos after his death. Thor replace Wodin/Odin after his death. Quetzalcoatl replaced Nahuatl after his death. On and on. YHWH is about to be replaced by Trump.
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
Comment has been removed.
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Johnnie Roberte Lambert
I would rather see Pride Flags everywhere than that orange cretin's face and name on everything. Happy Pride Month Everyone!!!
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
Hate hate hate hate...that's all you know how to do. Actually READ the responses and attempt to understand what is really being said before throwing your name-calling like a monkey throws his feces.
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Johnnie Roberte Lambert
Blessings to you Barbara. I agree with you 100%. xtians have become so demoralized by this regime especially, that they call themselves "Followers of Jesus Christ" instead. This country is supposed to allow freedom of religion and freedom of speech. Isn't this why it was founded? Instead the government is now pushing xtian beliefs onto everyone and demonizing anyone who doesn't agree with them. I don't think that's what the founding fathers wanted.
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Joe R Day
I was born in 1954 and raised in Texas. When I was 10, they found a body in a dry riverbed... The body was naked and the investigation found that someone had wrapped a chain around his genitals, hooked the other end to a pickup, then dragged him to his death... Because he was gay. Here's a few facts about Texas laws in 1954. "Felony Criminalization: Under Texas Penal Code Article 524, consensual sexual acts between individuals of the same sex were classified as "sodomy". Those convicted faced up to 15 years in a state penitentiary." "Widespread Entrapment & Harassment: Local police forces frequently used undercover officers in public spaces to entrap and arrest gay men. This fueled constant fear of exposure, loss of employment, and familial rejection." "Harsh Police Raids: Police frequently raided known gay and lesbian bars and nightclubs. In addition to sodomy arrests, individuals were often arrested on arbitrary morals charges, such as "lewd conduct" or cross-dressing." "The Lavender Scare: Paralleling the McCarthy-era Red Scare, the 1950s saw federal, state, and local governments aggressively fire and blacklist gay employees, framing them as security risks and moral threats."
Now, we are facing a return to those terrible policies... To this day, I still don't understand WHY folks who are hetero are so afraid of Gays and Lesbians. WHAT drives their fears? So, I asked google for an answer...
"Threats to the Status Quo: In patriarchal systems, a person's worth is sometimes measured by their adherence to traditional romantic scripts. When lesbians form relationships entirely independent of male validation, or when gay men reject traditional masculine stereotypes, it can destabilize the norms some straight people rely on for their self-worth," "Fragility of Labels: Strict social conditioning makes some straight individuals overly concerned with how others perceive them. The fear of being incorrectly labeled or perceived as anything but strictly heterosexual can lead to avoidance of the LGBTQ community."
And last, but not least: "Internalized Conflict: Psychological research has shown that some homophobia is driven by personal discomfort with one's own sexuality. Individuals with suppressed same-sex attractions or those raised in highly authoritarian/rigid environments are sometimes the most vocal in their prejudice."
I have lived with gay men and lesbian women and found that they are not so different from us. They care about their jobs, care about their partners and pets and the most telling thing about them? They don't care if someone is hetero. They just want to live their lives in peace... Finally, common ground...
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Lady Mutt Cat
And Texas is still a rotten place.
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Sir Lionheart
The month of June is also “Straight Pride Month”. This is the month where we all get to thank a straight person for LGBTQ+ people’s existence. 🫢
Yayyyyy! Thank you all heterosexuals. 🙌🏻
🦁❤️
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Robert James Ruhnke
Oh look. A pompous blowhard. Every month outside of Pride is already that, kitten butt. There is no need for straight pride, but I’m sure you’ll come up with asinine and inane ideas to bandy about.
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Sir Lionheart
Grabbing and holding your attention to respond is reward enough, Mr. Ruhnke.
🦁❤️
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Rev. BH
Pride flags, ribbons, colors, signs do not cause me to have a hissy fit .But as you can see here, it does to some. I am more bothered by the images of Fearless Leader Trump on coins, walls, golden statues, trading cards, cell phones, $250 bills and other doodads and junk he sells. Reminds of Mao posters and paintings everywhere.
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Lisbeth Kieran Bushey
He was wrong. Our rights end where another person’s rights begin and his homophobia couldn’t be accommodated. Bigotry cannot be accommodated in the workplace because it puts hardship on the employer, the other employees, and the public. He never had legal standing here. He can work elsewhere with people who share his beliefs and the fact he chose not to do so shows he just wanted to make a scene.
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Rev. Frank H Kalebich
Well put, Lisbeth kieran bushey
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Brian H. Miller
I don't care what you think you are or how you achieve an orgasm. I just don't understand how you can take pride in something you had nothing to do with.
You can be born male, female, white, black, gay, whatever. You had nothing to do with it. How can you take pride in something you had no control over?
I understand taking pride in accomplishments but, not something you had no control over.
Pride is a slippery slope!
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Lady Mutt Cat
How about being proud to be yourself in a hostile world? That’s definitely something you have control over.
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Michael Hunt
When society has criminalized and even killed members of the LGBTQ community, being proud of who you are instead of feeling the shame and fear society has tried to foist upon you is an act of resistance. Pride is celebrated for the LGBTQ community because they no longer have to hide the way they were born. They can be public about their romantic partner just as a heterosexual couple can be and, in my opinion, that's a great reason to celebrate.
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Michael S. Russell
As well you should not push your religion on others. You want your freedoms but would reject others theirs. That is not how us Ministers should think. You should understand not everyone agrees with your views. As religions force themselves to be dominant, others are trying to force people to understand and accept them. Right and wrong. Good and evil. These are points of views and change from religions and geographic locations. This is something that should have been taught to you when you pursued being a Minister. I, myself, am not a member of the LGBTQ community. But I have seen both sides of this discussion try to force their point of view. Both are wrong to do so, but both seem to have the need to force their recognition. I pray for peace and freedom for both.
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Jannetje Eleanore Van Went
It's probably good that we are trudging through all the sides of these systems together...the Earth is round has no sides and will keep rolling over this all...there are so many things we could take from text and apply to real life, if we made a movie about it, it would be confusing, funny, offensive and misunderstood...everyone would be screaming over each other to be heard ..who would want that for real life scenarios?
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Denise Johnson
"Alphabet Agenda"? Exactly what is that? Folks just trying to live their authentic lives? Celebrating themselves and others when they are persecuted by others? You call it a sin. Why? I don't see anyone trying to make others agree with them. I do see them sometimes trying to explain themselves to others who persecute them, which no one should have to do. Do you have to explain or defend yourself for simply being you and living your beliefs in the manner you want too? Live and let live. "Turn the other cheek" as they say. Go on being you and living your life and allow others to be themselves and live their lives.
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Roy S. Thorpe
I have said it before and I keep saying it! The old testament is a collection of Hebrew laws, sayings and stories! The new testament is about the life of Christ! Some of it has been modified by its writers but remember Christ preached LOVE, just as God is a loving God so would-be Christians clean up your act and spread some love! Nothing else!
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ServantOfJudgement
Mr Thorpe,
Let me help you out a bit. The old and new testament are intertwined and inseparable. They each refer to one another as a function of self interpretation. The bible interprets itself.
Did Jesus spread love when he called the Pharisees children of Satan and condemned them to Hell? Let's not give our Lord only one leg to stand on, rather properly repeat what he said by words and deeds.
A Christian is behaving properly when he's angered by the rainbow being perverted into a symbol for a sex religion. We can critique him for how he handles the anger but not for feeling it.
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
Amen
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
seeing the number of "like" hits on Roy S. Thorpe comment shows just how uneducated most of these "ministers" are.
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ServantOfJudgement
I was surprised with my understanding of the Bible before I believed it and after I believed it then began studying it.
It really is true what it says about itself. You must believe it in order to understand it. Unbelievably satisfying to experience the contrast first hand. Also, impossible to explain to the unbeliever.
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
Very true
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Larry Dean Powell
We were given ONE job: "Love one another as I have loved you".
Some folks love to BASH one another, saving their 'pure love' only for those with whom they agree on everything. Memo to them: that ain't 'Christian'.
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James Riggle-Johnson
This guy is just trying to win a lawsuit to make money. He’d probably be better off just accepting the job. I get that he doesn’t want to see any LGBTQ imagery, but they’re not asking him to look at pornography. Nor are they asking him to join.
It’s like asking someone to remove their cross because it offends someone. And if pride displays are making you question your sexuality—the problem is not with the display.
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D'Ette L De Jarlais
If we are all children of GOD, who are we to judge or condemn or prohibit anyone's lifestyle or sexual preference. The Bible is antiquated and I am tired of religious people picking and choosing phrases from the Bible to suit or rationalize their "beliefs". Jesus is love. GOD is love. The rest of the bible is hearsay. Open to many interpretations because it was translated from many different languages, who is to say it was translated correctly. I am opposed to all forms of organized religions. Jesus didn't need money given to him when he preached. He walked and spoke to the people who would listen. That is how Christians should live their lives. Not by condemning other people who are different in ANY way. How can anyone possibly be a "Christian" and act in a condescending manner to someone who's beliefs or lifestyle is different. Live and let live. Keep your own backyard tidy and be kind to everyone. Jesus loved his enemies.
Everyone one needs to be kind to one another.
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ServantOfJudgement
D'ette,
If someone's sexual preference is children, you wouldn't judge them would you?
This is why I speak the future with LGBTIQCAPGNGFNBA++MAP.
Yes, Jesus loved his enemies. They crucified him. Jesus is going to deliver them to hell. He said so. We are not all the children of God. Jesus said so.
You don't need to believe or follow the Bible friend. Just don't misquote it.
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Allysha Boothman
There is a massive difference between two consenting adults and literal children. To compare the two is a bad faith argument, and you know it.
Not to mention, the president of the United States has been accused of that exact same crime, and you seem to be propping him up in your comments. It seems like the call is coming from inside the house, buddy.
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ServantOfJudgement
Allysha,
Oh I know there's a difference. Still one must judge the pedophile. We Christians are constantly scolded and told we're not to judge by people who constantly judge.
We humans Must judge one another for many reasons. We all do. It's not a bad thing depending on what exactly were judging.
Were a nation of presumed innocence untill proven guilty. I've heard trump eats babies too. Every single Biden voter gave the man a pass and even explained away his own daughter saying he took inappropriate showers with her as a little girl. I wonder why you don't talk about that? Why is it ok for Biden to shower with a little girl?
I have the power lefties don't. I can critique my president with zero fear. The left isn't permitted to do that unless it's time to throw them away. Then they will.
My president is an adulterer like Clinton and Kennedy. He says he's a Christian like Biden and Obama claimed but none of them let it show. I wish we had great men with integrity to choose from but we don't. All are dirty dogs. The good thing about Trump is he's getting illegals out but not enough and not fast enough. I'm happy he blew up those drug boats and I wish he chop more government jobs and spending.
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
facts don't matter to this crowd I have discovered.
To the Participants and Moderators,
After spending considerable time observing and participating in discussions on this forum, I feel compelled to address a recurring problem that continues to undermine the quality and credibility of the conversations taking place here.
Many contributors in this blog present themselves as authorities on Christianity, theology, biblical interpretation, Church history, and religious doctrine. Yet what becomes increasingly apparent is that a significant number of these individuals demonstrate little if any familiarity with the disciplines they claim to represent. Rather than engaging in serious scholarship, many discussions devolve into exercises in self-justification, selective interpretation, and the rewriting of inconvenient facts or they reference alleged proof that no one has or can prove yet they write as if they were right there witnessing it.
A troubling pattern has emerged. When a participant presents a scriptural reference, historical source, or documented theological position, the response is often not a careful examination of the evidence but an attempt to explain it away. Clear texts suddenly become unclear. Established meanings become endlessly fluid. Historical facts become subject to personal preference.
For example, when discussing a passage such as Leviticus 18:22, one would expect a conversation grounded in textual analysis, historical context, linguistic scholarship, and the longstanding traditions of interpretation. Instead, what frequently occurs is an endless series of unsupported assertions designed to arrive at a preferred conclusion regardless of what the text actually says.
There is a profound difference between interpretation and revisionism. Interpretation seeks to understand a text honestly. Revisionism seeks to make a text say what one wishes it had said. Too many discussions here appear to embrace the latter. What concerns me most is not merely the quality of the debate itself but the effect these discussions have upon readers. Many visitors come to forums such as this seeking information, guidance, and understanding. They often assume that those presenting themselves as knowledgeable have done the necessary study and are speaking from a position of competence. When speculation is presented as scholarship, opinion is presented as fact, and personal preference is presented as doctrine, readers are gaslighted and misled. I have witnessed some so-called ministers here cannot even count to 15 without making that act sound like it’s a “TON”.
Theological inquiry is not a game. Religious scholarship is not an exercise in inventing meanings to accommodate contemporary preferences. The texts, traditions, languages, historical documents, and teachings that have been studied for centuries deserve to be approached with intellectual honesty and respect.
I have devoted many years to the study of service before self, theology, religious history, and biblical scholarship. I recognize that sincere people may reach different conclusions on difficult questions. Honest disagreement is never the problem. The problem arises when evidence is ignored, sources are misrepresented or lied about, and conclusions are determined before the investigation even begins.
There is a difference between saying, "I disagree with this teaching," and claiming, "This teaching never existed."
There is a difference between questioning a historical interpretation and pretending the historical record says something it does not.
There is a difference between scholarship and rationalization.
The purpose of serious religious discussion should be the pursuit of truth, wherever that truth may lead. That pursuit requires humility, discipline, evidence, and a willingness to be corrected when the facts do not support our assumptions.
If we genuinely care about educating others, then we owe them more than personal opinions disguised as expertise. We owe them honesty. We owe them accuracy. We owe them the discipline to distinguish between what the sources actually say and what we would prefer them to say.
Only then can meaningful dialogue occur.
Respectfully, Dr. D
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Patricia Ann Gross
Especially those who continue to add MAP to the LGBTQIA++ community. That is a fallacy that is not supported by any scientific studies.
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Steven Ferrell
If the alphabet bunch are really secure in their lifestyle, they would not need everyone else approval or affirmation.
Stop forcing the alphabet agenda on everyone.
Live your life in sin if you wish, but stop trying to make everyone agree with it.-
Lisbeth Kieran Bushey
We just want the right to exist freely in public the same as everyone else. We want the same legal protections as everyone else. That’s all. The only “agenda” we have is to receive those rights and we have to be visible to do so. We’re not forcing anyone to believe anything. We’re just asking for the same respect as everyone else. You don’t have to be LGBTQ+ if you don’t want to be because you weren’t born that way. You can’t force someone to be LGBTQ+ any more than you can force the sun to rise in the west and set in the east. You also can’t force us to be cishet. We’re not harming anyone by existing like everyone else does. The only harm being done is by people who are trying to force us to be something we’re not or people who don’t want us to have the same visibility as others.
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Michael Benjamin Roberts
Steven, you are missing the point. No LGBTQ+ individuals or supporters are forcing anything on anyone. They are not trying to make anyone agree with anything. They have a constitutional right to celebrate their own identity just like any other affiliation group. Think public displays of the Christmas season, Muslims special clothing, dietary restrictions of Orthodox Jewish people eating in a restaurant etc. The Constitutional words of We The People mean everyone, not just a select few, have the right to individual freedoms—life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. For instance, a sane Muslim simply seeing Christmas decorations in public spaces does not (or should not) take that symbol of celebration to imply that it is forcing Christian indoctrination on anyone. Publicly displayed Christmas decorations does not in any way seek agreement, approval, or affirmation from anyone or anything. Peacefully celebrating identity, religion, or beliefs isn’t asking permission, approval, or affirmation. It is simply people peacefully celebrating themselves and fellow humans who believe and live the same way as they do. At the end of the day, what is the harm? As long as people are practicing what they believe, why do those who don’t agree believe they have a right to stop or control who other people love, who they marry, what they celebrate, or how they identify. People who don’t share certain religious, cultural, or identity symbols have the right to look away. They do not have the right to control the beliefs, customs, and identity of fellow citizens—with violence or with the law. The dominate group trying to control and excoriating “the other” is neither Christian nor Christ-like.
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Melissa Thomasson
most christians r living a life of sin -adultery and fornication is a grievous sin in the bible. We find people on the pulpits telling you and me how to live , while they have 2 and 3 marriages under their belt while their first spouse is still alive , which violates 1 corinthians 7:10 . It also violates the scripture if someone desires the office of a leader he must be the man of one wife. Lgbt are not trying to make anyone agree with their life. I do see people like yourself yearning for acceptance in your sinful life of divorce and fornication. Have a blessed day .
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Lady Mutt Cat
I think there is more sin in denying gay people their happiness than there is in sleeping with someone of the same sex.
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Rev. BH
Steven, do you feel forced to change your lifestyle? If you're secure in yours, you shouldn't be so bothered by those who make other choices. You don't have to agree (your word) with the LGBTQ+ community, you do not need to give them "approval or affirmation", you simply need to live your life as you choose and give the same courtesy to others.
Don't be paranoid. They are not out to get you.
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ServantOfJudgement
Not exactly true rev bh.
Lgbtq2qia++ creeps into all spaces of life. Even into a church that preaches things in direct opposition to the mass movement. That's not paranoia that's rainbow septs to a church, right on to a dude wearing lipstick preaching xems version of the Bible.
One ounce of opposition results in hate beyond hate. Literally a satanic response to biblical adherence.
There's no hate like Christian love. Right?
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Rev. BH
servantofjudgement, it is always difficult in replying to you as understanding your posts is at the least baffling. What are "septs"? What is "xems"? Who is this "dude wearing lipstick"?
The LGBTQ+ community has no affect on my choices and causes me no concern. There are far more pressing issues throughout our world here and abroad. Wars, Ebola, global warming, daily shootings, a White house of incompetents, rising costs, hackers, etc. I have a Ukrainian friend who lives in constant terror. These issues worry me far more than a gay neighbor going about his life.
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ServantOfJudgement
Steps. Rainbow steps to a church by a mass movement that doesn't indoctrinate or infiltrate. Xem is a pronoun. A dude wearing lipstick is a gay preacher giving xems version of the bible. I'm hip with all the pronouns now that my employer had me take a class on gender sensitivity. I passed with rainbow colors.
Again and again I say I don't care what people do. I care when they push it to people who don't want it. I care when they teach it school. Identical to all religions. I got into a pillow fight with a gay dude in a hotel room in Chicago while the wife was in the phone. I truly don't care one ounce at all who a brother wants to get busy with.
My point of all of this is the lgbt2qia++ mass movement is creeping into everything.
Classes on gender sensitivity for crying out loud.
I can only make fun of it now.
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Rev. BH
soj, can you provide a photo of this "dude wearing lipstick ,,, preacher"? Or is this a self-created image to frighten yourself and stir controversy?
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F. Martin Aller-Stead
Mark was looking for notoriety. He was merely told his problems aren't anyone else's problems. He may believe what he chooses, and cannot force his beliefs on others. A good, fair, decision by the Court.
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Chris
Sounds like he was just looking for notoriety, since he had done this twice before. I'd wager he has no problem wearing his giant cross for all to see, regardless of how others might feel about it. As a pagan, I've had to work with some who would flat out try to convert me instead of doing their job. I had to put up with it. Bottom line, Christians are not being persecuted for being Christian. They can be persecuted for not following Christ's teachings. Big difference.
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DeElla J Kirkpatrick
Chris, I do not disagree with your comment. As a Christian, I believe in treating everyone with kindness and respect because it is not my place to judge. I chuckled recently when I saw a truck bumper sticker (along with several pagan stickers) that read, "Dear God, please save me from your followers." Sometimes people forget that while we all have our beliefs, they are based in faith. Faith is important and yet it is based on something we cannot prove. It is only what we believe. We all believe we are right, but if we could prove it then it would be fact and not faith. God Bless you and Blessed Be!
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Reverend Paula Copp
Easy fix. Don’t like pride month? Don’t celebrate. Don’t like gays? Leave them alone. (They don’t want you around either.) Don’t like gay iconography… oh, well… get over yourself. We in the LGBT have to put up with yours for 11 months out of the year. And before folks go biblical, the christian savior said NOTHING about homosexuality.
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
wrong again. Moses and others said plenty about being gay. did you ever actually read the bible?
"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination."
— Leviticus 18:22
A similar statement appears in Leviticus 20:13.
This is one of the primary biblical texts cited by Christians and Jews who hold that same-sex sexual relations are contrary to God's design.
However, there are a few important points that Christians debate:
The prohibition comes from the Law of Moses, not from a recorded saying of Jesus.
Christians differ on how Old Testament laws apply today.
For example, Christians generally do not follow many ceremonial and dietary laws found in Leviticus, such as restrictions on certain foods or fabrics. The question becomes whether the prohibition on same-sex relations is a ceremonial law tied to ancient Israel or a moral law intended for all times.
The New Testament also contains passages often discussed in this context. These include writings attributed to Paul the Apostle in passages such as Romans 1:26–27 and 1 Corinthians 6:9–10.
Traditional Christian interpretations have generally understood these passages as prohibiting same-sex sexual activity, while some modern scholars and denominations argue for different interpretations.
From the perspective of the Catholic Church and most historically traditional Christian churches, the Bible teaches that sexual intimacy is intended for marriage between a man and a woman. At the same time, the Church teaches that every person, including those who experience same-sex attraction, possesses inherent dignity and should be treated with respect and charity.
So if someone says, "The Bible never mentions homosexuality," that would be inaccurate. The Bible does contain passages that have traditionally been understood as addressing same-sex sexual relations. What is true is that Jesus is not recorded as specifically discussing homosexuality during His earthly ministry, which is a narrower claim.
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Lisbeth Kieran Bushey
The original language said “MAN shall not lie with BOYS as with a WOMAN, it is an abomination”. The passage is condemning HARMING CHILDREN. The current language didn’t appear until the 1940s. Old Bibles printed before that time in German and other languages said men and BOYS, not men and other ADULT MEN.
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ServantOfJudgement
Lisbeth,
Folks who don't believe the Bible get themselves into hot water when they quote it to people who believe and study the document.
You've quoted is a whish of what it says, repeated by everyone in favor of homosexuality trying to justify it with the Bible.
The original Hebrew text says a Man shall not lie with a Male... meaning any age.
The Bible is remarkably clear on this topic.
It doesn't really matter unless you're a Christian.
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Cindy L Edgar
I hate to inform you but there are many of religious beliefs out there not everybody believes in that one God thing and a lot of people have read that Bible and decided that that Bible was a joke so yes if you have read the Bible then you have the right to come back at the people that put other people down that are Christians and I am not a Christian by any means so stop judging remember that's a verse in your Bible it says thou shalt not judge thy neighbor. I am a pagan High priestess minister and our religions been around for a very very long time so stop picking on people because you believe in that one pretend book.
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ServantOfJudgement
Cindy,
I appreciate that there are tons of other beliefs. As I've said, nobody has to believe, agree with or follow the bible. I'm definitely not picking on anyone. I will however correct misquoted and misinterpreted verses from the Bible. That's what I did for Lisbeth.
Did you know that the Bible says you'll think it's a joke? Amazingly accurate!
The cherry picked phrases you're looking for are Love thy neighbor and Judge not lest ye be judged. Of course they don't mean what you think they mean but you guys sure love to say them a lot for not believing them.
Good luck High priestess!
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Lady Mutt Cat
If you’re a Christian, why are you obsessed with the religious law of the Jews? Try absorbing the New Testament. The Old Testament is a dreadful, violent book. Thankfully, your god has evolved. You should, too.
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ServantOfJudgement
Mutt cat,
The new testament and old testament are inseparable. God has not changed in the slightest.
A thorough unbiased study reveals this in simplicity.
The new testament says the same thing as the old.
God says no to homosexuality.
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Lady Mutt Cat
The nasty desert Jewish warrior god, you mean.
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
Factual data should matter to everyone that took on the mantel to teach others their faith which is supposed to be why we are here.
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
To the Participants and Moderators,
After spending considerable time observing and participating in discussions on this forum, I feel compelled to address a recurring problem that continues to undermine the quality and credibility of the conversations taking place here.
Many contributors in this blog present themselves as authorities on Christianity, theology, biblical interpretation, Church history, and religious doctrine. Yet what becomes increasingly apparent is that a significant number of these individuals demonstrate little if any familiarity with the disciplines they claim to represent. Rather than engaging in serious scholarship, many discussions devolve into exercises in self-justification, selective interpretation, and the rewriting of inconvenient facts or they reference alleged proof that no one has or can prove yet they write as if they were right there witnessing it.
A troubling pattern has emerged. When a participant presents a scriptural reference, historical source, or documented theological position, the response is often not a careful examination of the evidence but an attempt to explain it away. Clear texts suddenly become unclear. Established meanings become endlessly fluid. Historical facts become subject to personal preference.
For example, when discussing a passage such as Leviticus 18:22, one would expect a conversation grounded in textual analysis, historical context, linguistic scholarship, and the longstanding traditions of interpretation. Instead, what frequently occurs is an endless series of unsupported assertions designed to arrive at a preferred conclusion regardless of what the text actually says.
There is a profound difference between interpretation and revisionism. Interpretation seeks to understand a text honestly. Revisionism seeks to make a text say what one wishes it had said. Too many discussions here appear to embrace the latter. What concerns me most is not merely the quality of the debate itself but the effect these discussions have upon readers. Many visitors come to forums such as this seeking information, guidance, and understanding. They often assume that those presenting themselves as knowledgeable have done the necessary study and are speaking from a position of competence. When speculation is presented as scholarship, opinion is presented as fact, and personal preference is presented as doctrine, readers are gaslighted and misled. I have witnessed some so-called ministers here cannot even count to 15 without making that act sound like it’s a “TON”.
Theological inquiry is not a game. Religious scholarship is not an exercise in inventing meanings to accommodate contemporary preferences. The texts, traditions, languages, historical documents, and teachings that have been studied for centuries deserve to be approached with intellectual honesty and respect.
I have devoted many years to the study of service before self, theology, religious history, and biblical scholarship. I recognize that sincere people may reach different conclusions on difficult questions. Honest disagreement is never the problem. The problem arises when evidence is ignored, sources are misrepresented or lied about, and conclusions are determined before the investigation even begins.
There is a difference between saying, "I disagree with this teaching," and claiming, "This teaching never existed."
There is a difference between questioning a historical interpretation and pretending the historical record says something it does not.
There is a difference between scholarship and rationalization.
The purpose of serious religious discussion should be the pursuit of truth, wherever that truth may lead. That pursuit requires humility, discipline, evidence, and a willingness to be corrected when the facts do not support our assumptions.
If we genuinely care about educating others, then we owe them more than personal opinions disguised as expertise. We owe them honesty. We owe them accuracy. We owe them the discipline to distinguish between what the sources actually say and what we would prefer them to say.
Only then can meaningful dialogue occur.
Respectfully, Dr. D
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ServantOfJudgement
Dr D
There are very few bible believing Christians here. In general everyone already has their own opinion on things and rarely will someone change their perspective. Don't forget, when God gives them over to their desires, the truth is the last thing they want to see.
You can correct a misquoted verse a thousand times to the same person and you'll not see a change. Like a bowling ball in the gutter, rarely will they pop out. I've seen a bowling ball pop out once but never a person.
Don't let it get to you, it's just how it is.
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
thank you.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Dr. DC,
There is a Biblical Archeological Society that has a blog, if you would rather engage with a group that is interested in scholarly study. I have used it several times in my PhD program for Theology and Leadership. It has about anything you would ever want to know about the Dead Sea Scrolls and a lot of discussions about Ancient Judiasm. It is apparent that this group is not interested in deep scholarly dives you are looking for. You can look here: https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/blog/
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
Thank you Pat, I will check it out.
Dr. Denny
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
“Before you declare what Leviticus ‘really’ means, check the original text. It’s been pretty consistent for 3,000 years.”
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
“Before you declare what Leviticus ‘really’ means, check the original text. It’s been pretty consistent for 3,000 years.”
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Melissa Thomasson
"You shall not lie with a male as with a woman; it is an abomination."
— Leviticus 18:22 My understanding is that at that time this was said or written it was a time of war. God was telling the priest when they went to war not to take in prisoners of wars and mistreat them or sodomize them . It's not speaking of 2 men who love each other . but, rather a time of war where they would take in prisoners of war and do horrible things to them - and God was telling them not to do it.
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
Comment has been removed.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Man of many Doctorates,
You are wrong again. She said the Christian SAVIOR said nothing about homosexuals and you quoted several things from the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) which outlines the Jewish faith before Jesus was born. Have you forgotten that the Christian savior is Jesus? Jesus also said he changes the law to two commandments: Love God, and Love your neighbor as yourself.
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Rev. Miche'al Yosef Dixon
You were on right track then jumped the track at the end. Yeshua whom English call "Jesus" is a Jew by tribe and as Hebrews are called today. Therefore in order for Him to "obey all the Law(of Moses)" as modern "Christians" say they believe, then Yeshua would follow the Law you mentioned. He'd also follow the Law that He be required to marry in and "Be Faithful and multiply" And you can't multiply as same sex. However, the same Yeshua told the men that accused a woman of adultery "Let him without sin cast the first stone" the same Law said "Both shall be stoned until dead and their blood shall be upon their heads" the man in the adultery was suspicious missing. The man complaining about the things around him and first year pre-psychology student can see he fears it because he sees his own sins reflect back at himself. I just wondering how long before Americans especially from North-East start getting offended again at being called "Yankee" which originally was an English/European insult calling the Colonist men "A stubborn Female Horse" after an European woman named "Yan Keys" (Jan Keys) King George whom was German ruler at time of American Revolution not English/Welch/Scottish or Irish. Now, Woman Lib would be proud as She was a Forerunner of "Women's lib" reason for the insults called her "A stubborn Female Horse" she didn't take men's crap. Just example of social hypocrisy of public iconography. Everyone getting their shorts in a bunch over nothing these days.
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ServantOfJudgement
Paula, please remember that the bible states that any code of conduct issued by a judge, prophet, apostle or Jesus himself is the same as Jesus saying it.
You don't need to believe or follow the Bible. That said, those who believe and study it know what I just said is true.
Jesus said no to homosexuality several times. He's pretty clear about the subject.
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Keith David Harry
Miss Paula, I was right with you and up to … get over yourself. As I rarely do, I agree with you. And then you dropped a bomb with the next two thoughts. Oh my, you are going to get skewered.
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Rev. BH
Skewered? Doesn't look like it, Keith. She's got 6 approval votes so far.
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Elizabeth Jane Erbe Wilcox
“Sincerely held religious beliefs” are just a BS excuse used by the christian nationalists to discriminate against anyone who doesn’t buy into their brand of garbage.
A year or two ago some state used this as an excuse to outlaw abortion. And they did NOT allow the following:
In Jewish law, an abortion is not only permitted, but it is obligatory (required) when a continuation of the pregnancy poses a threat to the life or health (physical or psychological) of the mother.
Imagine that!
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Colleen McAllister
The Court made the correct decision. As long as people are not trying to convert others to their way of belief then it should be acceptable to display your personal beliefs. Each to his own life.
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
But open advertizements like that work place canners, etc. IS ATTEMPING to elisit others to be that way...
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Christopher Rocco Scafidi
Enlist? I mean, if seeing a pride flag is enough to 'turn you gay', then I've got some news for you: You were probably already gay.
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James Riggle-Johnson
There is no way to make a gay person. You’re either born that way, or you are not.
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ServantOfJudgement
Mr Johnson, there's quite a few things that'll tip a dude over to the gay side. Crystal Meth addiction is a quick hitter I hear. Lust and anything that boosts lust will do it too. Exposure and over exposure fuzzies the lines and away we go.
When someone says there's no way to do something, there's as many ways as there are people in the room+1.
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James Riggle-Johnson
How many times have you crossed that line, SOJ? I am not talking about drug addicts who would do anything for a score. There are those who are curious... who might want to try it. Some of them might be Bi-Sexual. But I bring the idea back to you. Have you ever been tempted? The answer to that question is important. Have you been tempted away from the straight and narrow? I doubt it but I could be wrong.
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Patricia Ann Gross
Pride month has nothing to do with converting anyone to a particular lifestyle. It is acknowledging their existence and rights to be a living breathing human being with the same rights as straight people. If you are one who thinks this is a "choice" and can be "decided on a whim," when was it you decided you were straight? What are you afraid of? Did you know that putting the LGBGTQIA++ community back into the closet would create huge issues for a large community of people who are absolutely no threat to the rest of the human race.
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DeElla J Kirkpatrick
I somewhat agree with your statement. That being said, I do not believe the workplace is the place for expressing your personal views in regard to religion, politics, cultural or other controversial subjects. The workplace is where you to go WORK. People should express their beliefs and ideas regarding non-work related areas on their own time and away from the workplace. Employers should stay neutral in all non-work related areas out of respect to their clients and employees. In this case, a government or government adjacent agency should not represent and particular views on cultural, political or religious beliefs keeping the workplace completely neutral. I have personally seen companies put out of business by demonstrating that they lean one way or another on an issue.
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Patricia Ann Gross
DeElla,
You have a point, but to do all of that, you are also suggesting that workplaces not acknowledge other causes like Black or Women's History Month, and a great number of issues dedicated to charitable causes, United Way, and Cancer awareness. Some would argue these are equally "controversial." I wouldn't want to work for a company that did not actively show its connection with the community it is allowed to operate in, and to celebrate all of its employees, especially those that are part of diverse communities.
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Stephen P Singleton
I had to scroll back to make sure, but YES this was a court in the UK. The Decision in this case is totally in line with Common Sense and what I would expect of any court anywhere. Having grown up in the "US of A", I used to be proud of the common sense protections of US courts and the US Legal System until January 2025. NOW (I'd be willing to bet) there are US jurisdictions where he would've won! He needs to move to Florida. Or maybe Texas. And adopt MAGA iconography. Although there are British right wingers too, thank The Lord there is some (less and less) Common Sense in the Brit mainstream legal system.
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Najah P Tamargo
Najah Tamargo-USA
Members of the LGBTQ÷ can be religious as well. Why can't people just let it go. Jesus loved EVERBODY! Why can't we??
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Patricia Ann Gross
Najah,
You are absolutly correct. Many of the LGBTQIA++ community are devout Christians. There are open and affirming denominatios and denominations dedicated to their community and allies, just like there are denominations geared toward other marginalized and often persecuted groups (like Black, Latino, and Jewish who have converted but want to maintain their Jewish heritage). Loving someone is the important part of any relationship, and Jesus NEVER said you are to love each other except someone who aligns with your sex (assigned at birth). He also said nothing about homosexuality.
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ServantOfJudgement
Because we've been corrupted Najah. No person can behave as Jesus. If they did, they'd be crucified by us.
After all, look how many say what you say then hate President Trump and the Maga people.
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Nicholas J Page
It's the first time I have heard about this I live in England no way should an employee tell his/her employer to remove the Rainbow logo at work im Heterosexual and I support The lgbtq community. We have a gay couple who live upstairs and we treat them as we would expect to be treated. Gays etc should be treated as people and no expected to conform to other people's ideas etc.I have worked with gay people and they do not cause problems.
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Rev. Carol M Anaski-Figurski
Interesting article. I agree it is not the workplace for him. Do not offer the job. I agree there is no discrimination & teach tolerance & acceptance of all things. religion, transgender, straight & lgbt. He could work on his issue with a therapist or do yoga for his anxiety. Sometimes exposure to your fears or what ever is what teaches you to be tolerant. Blest Be amen. We are living in exciting times & freedoms.
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
Why must HE work with a therapist when its them insisting men can have babies and women can be US Navy SEALs?
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Lisbeth Kieran Bushey
Women can be in the Special Forces. Several are already. They have to pass the exact same standards as the men do and the ones that have managed to pass the grueling training have earned their place in the Special Forces. The SEALs haven’t had any women pass the course YET - but the SEALs are one of the hardest groups to join. Most men who try don’t make the cut. There’s a ton of women who have become Green Berets, Rangers, and Air Force Special Forces groups (PJs, etc.) and they had to EARN it.
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James Riggle-Johnson
Seriously? Why can’t a woman be a Navy SEAL? I thought this was settled long ago. If they meet the requirements to become one, then why not let them?
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
Because not even most men can do it. Women are not built for it. Stop making an issue where there isn't one!
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James Riggle-Johnson
We have women Navy Seals. It's not an issue. It is a fact. They have passed the physical and mental requirements that their male counterparts do.
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
There are no Navy female SEALs. I did an FOIA request and posted it herein. You can do the same. Anyone can. I proved it. Lets see YOUR so-called proof.
https://www.secnav.navy.mil/foia/Pages/default.aspx to see what I submitted here, scroll down and READ!!!!!
This is what I've been saying all along. TOO MANY HERE HAVE NO CLUE ABOUT WHAT THEY CLAIM!!!!
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Amy Varela
Because HE is claiming that HE has an "autistic shutdown" if HE sees rainbow shoe laces and HE apparently has a fear of pronouns. That's a serious mental problem. Most of the people I know who are on the spectrum are in therapy. He's an evangelical Christian AND a devout Catholic. That in itself is close to an oxymoron. Evangelical Christians don't typically worship Mary and the many saints of the Catholic church. Regardless, Jesus never said anything about homosexuality. If you're following/worshipping Jesus, it's important to follow his example. Or maybe he should try not to be a so selfish, y'know, like Jesus wasn't selfish.
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
Mary is not worshiped, its a veneration. Please actually read the bible.
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Henry Buehler
pray the Rosary
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Dr Dennis Chevalier, MDiv, PhD, DDvin, ULC honorary DD
I do are you saying that a Rosary exists that "your proof" she is worshipped?
If so, I would demand a refund on your education.
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I'm arriving to the conclusion that pride symbology is a form of hate speech pointed directly at Christianity. It is the swastika to the jew.
Too bad you’re wrong SOJ. Being LGBTQ+ has nothing to do with upsetting Christians, yall do that on your own by not minding your own damn business. Us existing just as we are has been a part of humanity far longer than Christianity has been.
That was my point early on in this blog.
Sorry kiddo, but it's not the "Swastika to the Jew". The Swastika represented, not only hate, but mass-murder. It was proudly worn by those that forced millions into gas chambers and hunted for millions more to enslave, torture, and kill.
The only ones who view it as "evil" are closed-minded individuals like yourself who are filled with the same hatred that the ones that wore that tainted symbol, a symbol that used to represent the hindu, as well as the native american, iconography of eternity and peace, once held.
Unlike "Good Christians", those wearing the colors of Pride have never mass-murdered due to religion, or gender, or sexual orientation.